#1: Curl Pattern 3d - Am I the only one who thinks there is a missing link?

So I'm not really obsessed with curl pattern, I do understand that a lot of other hair characteristics play into whether our hair shares commonalities with the hair of other peeps, however, I do think that defining one's curl pattern can be somewhat useful (especially if you are trying to figure out how elongated or defined a certain product or styling method will make your curls)
I've found over the last almost year that my curl pattern seems to sit somewhere in between the curls on my 3c and 4a sisters (and brothers). Rather than trying to squeeze myself into one of these categories, I started to describe my hair pattern without any product or manipulation as 3D....
Do ya'll feel me? Is there a missing link in your opinion? Or am I just confused?
Oh here are pics of my curls.

I think you can call yourself 3d, 3c/4a, or whatever you want. The entire "curl sizing" system is made up (as in not a hard fact science) anyways, so if someone wants to add or subtract categories, go for it.

"The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everybody else."

There are plenty of ways to label "in between" hair if you buy into Andre's system, but I guess it seems more logical IMO to say - for example - that I have 3b/c hair rather than making up some whole new category for it. Of course most people will already understand you when you say you have 3a/4c hair, just like they'll understand me saying I have 3b/c hair. I guess I don't see how "3d" is even needed, except that it saves three typing characters.

And since nobody is going there I'll just say it: one cynical view is that some curlies will do anything to avoid calling themselves a "4" because of the whole "good hair"/"bad hair" syndrome, including calling themselves "3d"s. I think SOMETIMES this really is the motivation, though I'm not accusing you, the OP, of this.

Regardless of peoples' motivations in creating extra categories I do ultimately agree w/those who say people get to call their hair anything they want.

There are plenty of ways to label "in between" hair if you buy into Andre's system, but I guess it seems more logical IMO to say - for example - that I have 3b/c hair rather than making up some whole new category for it. Of course most people will already understand you when you say you have 3a/4c hair, just like they'll understand me saying I have 3b/c hair. I guess I don't see how "3d" is even needed, except that it saves three typing characters.

And since nobody is going there I'll just say it: one cynical view is that some curlies will do anything to avoid calling themselves a "4" because of the whole "good hair"/"bad hair" syndrome, including calling themselves "3d"s. I think SOMETIMES this really is the motivation, though I'm not accusing you, the OP, of this.

Regardless of peoples' motivations in creating extra categories I do ultimately agree w/those who say people get to call their hair anything they want.

Many if not most of us curlies do have more than one curl pattern. I'm 4a/3c with some waves, tighter curls, looser curls - all on one head. That's partly why I stopped putting my curl pattern in my signature. Its different for everyone who sees my hair.

Many if not most of us curlies do have more than one curl pattern. I'm 4a/3c with some waves, tighter curls, looser curls - all on one head. That's partly why I stopped putting my curl pattern in my signature. Its different for everyone who sees my hair.

Originally Posted by greenandchic

Exactly! In fact, many of us likely have more than two patterns on our heads. So let's say someone is thought to have "2c/3a/3b" hair. Do we make up a fresh abbreviation for these type of combinations too? How much do we want to complicate things? And I just find it a little curious that it's usually someone with hair that partially falls into the "4" category that wants some new category that excludes the 4. I've heard this proposition raised offline too and it's never from the 2s or 3s. Again, I don't think that means race-based hair shame is always the motivator, but it begins to look like it is in too many cases, which is sad.

Can someone please stop this thread before it explodes like THE EXACT SAME thread did in 4a?! Who cares if people who YOU think are 4s believe they're 3s. They know their curl size better than you do. Seriously, why is that so important? BTW I am the last one to advocate curl typing. I don't like it.... 3d is as silly as 2b, 3b or 10b to me!

Can someone please stop this thread before it explodes like THE EXACT SAME thread did in 4a?! Who cares if people who YOU think are 4s believe they're 3s. They know their curl size better than you do. Seriously, why is that so important? BTW I am the last one to advocate curl typing. I don't like it.... 3d is as silly as 2b, 3b or 10b to me!

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

Noticed someone attacked you in that other thread, accusing you of being a "4" in disguise ... the way they did it was completely obnoxious and uncalled for. And I'm sorry if my opinion has you worried that this thread will attract more commentary that is personally attacking or doesn't align with your own view.

But for the record, I've acknowledged that people get to label themselves however they'd like. I've merely added that I find some of what motivates it kind of interesting and at times, sad. Not sure your appeal to censor the thread is the best way to handle your anxiety. Then again, the moderator will obviously step in if it's believed things on this thread will get out of hand.

I'm not heated. But this has been asked and answered in the other thread. I do think this is silly. Also it bothers me to hear people say 4s have some kinda hidden or not so hidden issue with accepting that they are 4s. I think that's as offensive as people constantly telling me I have mixed hair or worse "good hair". WTH?? I don't get the preoccupation with curl size OR people telling others (in an intended negative way) what their type is. But I'm certainly not the type to get mad or "heated" over a hair forum.

I'm not heated. But this has been asked and answered in the other thread. I do think this is silly. Also it bothers me to hear people say 4s have some kinda hidden or not so hidden issue with accepting that they are 4s. I think that's as offensive as people constantly telling me I have mixed hair or worse "good hair". WTH?? I don't get the preoccupation with curl size OR people telling others (in an intended negative way) what their type is. But I'm certainly not the type to get mad or "heated" over a hair forum.

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

We were simply answering the question.

People ask what their hair type is all the time. We answer. Of course, its not going to be accurate because photos from a couple of angles can only tell you so much.

Can someone please stop this thread before it explodes like THE EXACT SAME thread did in 4a?! Who cares if people who YOU think are 4s believe they're 3s. They know their curl size better than you do. Seriously, why is that so important? BTW I am the last one to advocate curl typing. I don't like it.... 3d is as silly as 2b, 3b or 10b to me!

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

Noticed someone attacked you in that other thread, accusing you of being a "4" in disguise ... the way they did it was completely obnoxious and uncalled for. And I'm sorry if my opinion has you worried that this thread will attract more commentary that is personally attacking or doesn't align with your own view.

But for the record, I've acknowledged that people get to label themselves however they'd like. I've merely added that I find some of what motivates it kind of interesting and at times, sad. Not sure your appeal to censor the thread is the best way to handle your anxiety. Then again, the moderator will obviously step in if it's believed things on this thread will get out of hand.

Originally Posted by Korkscrew

First, if you are affected by anxiety, please don't project your mental state onto me. That's your issue. Second, it doesn't really matter if this aligns with my views. I'm going to continue to give my opinions when I choose to over and over if I choose. Just as you will continue to say over and over you think some 4s have this issue. That's both of our right.

I'm not heated. But this has been asked and answered in the other thread. I do think this is silly. Also it bothers me to hear people say 4s have some kinda hidden or not so hidden issue with accepting that they are 4s. I think that's as offensive as people constantly telling me I have mixed hair or worse "good hair". WTH?? I don't get the preoccupation with curl size OR people telling others (in an intended negative way) what their type is. But I'm certainly not the type to get mad or "heated" over a hair forum.

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

We were simply answering the question.

People ask what their hair type is all the time. We answer. Of course, its not going to be accurate because photos from a couple of angles can only tell you so much.

Originally Posted by greenandchic

You're absolutely right! That's why I said "in an intended negative way". I just saw a very offensive post by someone just the other day named buckwheat jones. The thread went poof but it said essentially what korkscrew and curlylaru from the other thread are saying but in a completely offensive manner.

I'm not heated. But this has been asked and answered in the other thread. I do think this is silly. Also it bothers me to hear people say 4s have some kinda hidden or not so hidden issue with accepting that they are 4s. I think that's as offensive as people constantly telling me I have mixed hair or worse "good hair". WTH?? I don't get the preoccupation with curl size OR people telling others (in an intended negative way) what their type is. But I'm certainly not the type to get mad or "heated" over a hair forum.

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

We were simply answering the question.

People ask what their hair type is all the time. We answer. Of course, its not going to be accurate because photos from a couple of angles can only tell you so much.

Originally Posted by greenandchic

By the way the same person posted both threads so it was pretty much asked and answered.

I don't think it will get crazy like it did in 4a.. already this thread is kinda like "meh". I mean look how long it took to get this many replies...

Originally Posted by BekkaPoo

I didn't post initially because of the other thread. However when a poster starts talking about a group of people and what they feel about their hair I chime in. I don't think 4s have some hidden self hate or something like I keep reading. I think people know their curl size and try to honestly fit it in to this typing system. Sometimes it fits neatly. From what I understand of it my hair fits neatly into it. But other people's hair doesn't, hence 3d. I just don't think it's important for ME. But everyone else, please carry on! I said my peace

I'm not heated. But this has been asked and answered in the other thread. I do think this is silly. Also it bothers me to hear people say 4s have some kinda hidden or not so hidden issue with accepting that they are 4s. I think that's as offensive as people constantly telling me I have mixed hair or worse "good hair". WTH?? I don't get the preoccupation with curl size OR people telling others (in an intended negative way) what their type is. But I'm certainly not the type to get mad or "heated" over a hair forum.

On my EVO

Originally Posted by Kilajo

We were simply answering the question.

People ask what their hair type is all the time. We answer. Of course, its not going to be accurate because photos from a couple of angles can only tell you so much.

Originally Posted by greenandchic

By the way the same person posted both threads so it was pretty much asked and answered.